RICHMOND ACADEMY

Welcome Richmond Academy players and supporters

Welcome to the Richmond Academy page.Here you will find updates, training dates and any Richmond Academy news including player profiles, sponsors notices, feature players spotlight and academy updates.Don't wait or think about other clubs?! Come join the Richmond Academy and make a difference!!!

"All Things Are Possible"

Excitement is building!Our first Academy session for 2017 season starts on Tuesday 9 January 2018 at the Club rooms from 6pm. You will need running shoes, drink bottle, clean t-shirt for after and good energy.

Week 1 training- physical- building endurance base- running with some strength work. Mental training- A Rugby League Leadership course with league legend Fred Ah Kuoi- NZ's only undefeated Kiwi captain and the first Samoan to captain a NZ side in any sport. We predict Week 1 will be the most important week of the summer as Fred trains and inspires our new generation of Richmond loyal players.

Are you eligibleYes, if you are U13 to U20 and you will play for our great Richmond Rovers Club. Your starting ability and fitness do not matter but you will need true Richmond spirit and attitude- the training is hard work and it will challenge you.

How do I enroll?Just train. After the first training you will be given a form to complete.

Cost?Free- thanks to an extremely generous sponsorship from Peter Fell- specialists in coloured concrete. www.peterfell.co.nz. Peter is a Richmond Old Boy who supports what our Academy is all about- young Richmond players learning life skills though Rugby League

What do I have to do to be inducted?You earn it by attending 9 from 9 training's. Once inducted, players receive training T-shirts, a Richmond bag and more- all free for Richmond players.

What are the training standards?Physically, we aim to train at NRL clubs age levels or better. Running fitness is emphasized, not gym fitness. Hence, for players under 18 our training is directed at building muscle endurance, not muscle size. Body weight strength training or light dumbbells only are the order of the day, progressing to heavy upper-body weights for players 18 years and older. Once you are taught your individual strength programme, you do your strength training on Academy “off days”. This gives you 3 running fitness Academy sessions a week.

By way of example, last year our top third exceeded the “good” testing standards of one NRL club. At the Akarana Zone Rep Hearts camp u15 yo yo fitness testing 2012, one of our Academy boys outran all other forwards. We strive to offer NRL quality physical training or better, without you having to move to another country.

After the first four weeks pre-Christmas of physical training only, in the New Year we also look at your individual skills and technique levels, cementing the basics first. Then we build on those basics into more complex levels.

Does Academy training over the summer lift your league to another level?It is impossible for you to attend regularly and not lift your league to the next level. Almost 40% of last year’s Academy boys went from not playing rep league the previous season to being selected for Auckland teams this season.

What is the Richmond Academy Scholarship Program?We will select 4 Academy players aged 15-18 (more as sponsors come forward) to travel to Australia January/February to train with a NRL Club for 3-5 days. Richmond will pay the air fares. One of Richmond’s most famous Kiwi’s, Nigel Vagana, is arranging the visits with the NRL clubs for us. The selected players will be those that show the best attitudes at Academy training's, the most desire, and the most improvements, commitment and determination.

Community WorkYou will spend one Saturday morning each month doing community work together, where there is a need. At Richmond we really value the chance to give back to others, just as others give to us.

Who are the key adults involved- Our People ?We are lucky to have very high calibre adults for you this year, including key people who all value education alongside league. Click here to view staff

All Things Are PossibleThis is our Academy motto- given to us by Kiwi Legend and Richmond Old Boy Fred Ah Kuoi. Fred knows this from personal experience. The first Samoan to captain a NZ side in any sport, Fred has the proud honour of being the only Kiwi captain to have never lost an international test, winning 5 and drawing 1. Fred also had the thrill of playing a UK Grand Final at Wembley. Proof that for a young boy who came from Samoa in the early 1960’s, and spent all of his childhood and teens playing for Richmond, all things are possible.

Any questions?You are welcome to phone or text Graeme Atmore on 021 360040 or home 376 5860, or email atmore@orcon.net.nz.